Twice in as many weeks, and there are probably other recent examples I've forgotten already, a "prank" is pulled, wherein the public gets some idea through the blogosphere, which is then picked up by the MSM, that some person or organization has done or said something that hasn't actually been done or said. The parties who failed to vet the information are then forced to issue a retraction. Then, the retraction itself becomes news, along with the fact that either the news organization was duped by some enterprising person or group, or the news organization was "hoist by its own petard" for failing to research.
Limbaugh claimed he uncovered some anti-constitution thesis by Obama and was gloating over it on his radio show. Only it was internet satire that had been taken seriously. Obama wrote no such thing.
The MSM reported that the Chamber of Commerce had reversed its stance on cap & trade, when they had not done that. The story was based on a phony press release.
Now, think back a few days, (last week, I think) when Mr. Olbermann explained how FOX "creates" news. They make some bullshit claim, get all their talking heads to parrot the claim, then report on how the other networks are not reporting the story. Eventually, the person or group they are making the claim about is forced to deny something that never happened in the first place. Then FOX gets to create more news about the denial about that thing that never happened.
Why can't this happen to FOX?
If Obama's anti-FOX declaration has caused their ratings to go up, then the Obama WH is doing it wrong. I'm not suggesting an all-out assault. I'm just suggesting it's time to create some news for FOX, just like they do for people they don't like. A story here, another there. Then after a few days, another, and a few days later, another. It might look something like what these imaginative Brits did.
Why, just this morning I saw these headlines in the biggest newspapers in the country! Why isn't this being reported all over the world, and the network news, and the internets? It's earth shattering, yet no one is talking about it!
HEADLINE
FOX's Roger Ailes says he is ready to make peace with President Obama, to have the same access as all other news outlets. "Our coverage will be much less adversarial from now on" said Ailes.
HEADLINE
Rupert Murdoch denies saying First Lady Michelle Obama "has biceps like an NFL linebacker." Says he actually said she is "a much lovelier woman than the last two first ladies."
HEADLINE
Shepard Smith and Major Garrett brawl in the FOX News commissary. FOX security called in to break it up when no one intervened.
HEADLINE
Greta Van Susteren says she regrets multiple plastic surgeries. "I thought it would make me look sexier, but it didn't." says Greta.
HEADLINE
Bill O'Reilly stopped and questioned by police after witness reports of a person locked in the trunk of his car. A police spokesperson said it was a misunderstanding. "It was a blow up doll that had its hand inadvertently caught in the trunk lid, which prompted the concerned calls to 9-11.
HEADLINE
Mormon Church excommunicates Glenn Beck. "Glenn does not uphold the moral or religious standards of the Mormon Church" says leadership. Glenn Beck did not immediately return calls for comment.
HEADLINE
Sean Hannity attacked and beaten by furious teabaggers after he is overheard on an open mic to say, "We can get these idiots to do anything we want!"
HEADLINE
Steve Doocy, Gretchen Carlson and Brian Kilmeade caught in a threesome at an upscale NYC hotel. Maid who walked in on them says, "I used to like their show. But after what I saw, I don't think I can stomach looking at them ever again."
Sometimes it happens like this, but in the case of FOX News, we know they're just pretending to gather and present their news in good faith. When is this troublesome network going to get punked?